Eurydice

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Eurydice

Greek

Wife of Orpheus

Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus is the better known Eurydice of mythology. She was a nymph (in some cases) and was happily married to the famed musician Orpheus. One day, she was pursued by a man through a field. However, whilst running barefoot, she was bitten by a viper and died.

After learning of his wife's demise, Orpheus set out to the Underworld in an attempt to win her back. He paid Charon his river-fare in the form of a song. He lulled Cerberus to sleep with music and softened the hearts of both Hades and Persephone, even going as far as making them cry. They permitted him to take his wife's shade back to the land of the living, on the condition that he would not look back upon her util they reach the light.

Eurydice is bitten

Orpheus kept his word, tracking Eurydice's progress by her footsteps. Suddenly, they approached an area covered in leaves. Unable to hear her, he could not resist turning back to check on her. He turned back in time to see his wife's shade fading away, returning to the world of the dead. They were later reunited after Orpheus killed himself.